A 1996 stage production of Where the Wild Things Are in Lafayette, USA. Photograph: Philip Gould/Corbis

The attempts to adapt Maurice Sendak's children's classic Where the Wild Things Are for the big screen are beginning to resemble Terry Gilliam's endless quest to film Don Quixote. Disney optioned the film in the early 80s, with John Lasseter (who went on to become Pixar's Chief Creative Officer) given the task of overseeing the project, using a combination of traditional cell animation and state-of-the-art CGI techniques. Sadly, stung by recent losses (including 1982's Tron), Disney pulled the plug on the project, prompting Lasseter's move to Pixar, where he oversaw an animation renaissance with Toy Story.

And that was that, until a teaser trailer for Where the Wild Things Are was released in 2000 by Universal, previewed with screenings of The Grinch. News that Spike Jonze was now signed up as director was met with almost universal approval. But Jonze fell out with Universal, prompting more delays as he took the film over to Warner Bros. By 2007, more details were finally filtering through: a script co-written with Dave Eggers got the seal of approval from New York magazine. Even Sendak announced himself happy with the project. Leaked footage revealed Sesame Street-style costumes were being used rather than CGI for the monsters (although their faces will be added in digitally); but also generated concern amongst blogs about the casting of central character Max. Fortunately, they were assuaged by - of all sites - HolyMoly, who revealed last week via an email from Jonze himself that the leaked material was nothing more than a test shot featuring a stand-in actor and prototype monster designs.

But no sooner had that worry been laid to rest than a far greater one emerged: Warner Brothers are apparently unhappy with the film and are considering a reshoot, a new lead and even a new director. Whatever the outcome, the film won't now appear until 2009 at the earliest. So, in the meantime, here's a few morsels to keep the wolf from the door, so to speak ...